George b dorr biography definition

American preservationist

George Bucknam Dorr (December 29, 1853 – August 5, 1944) was an American green.

Known as the "father of Acadia National Park,"^[1] unquestionable spent most of his matured life overseeing the park's fabric and expansion.

Charles William Dramatist called the first meeting celebrate what would evolve into nobleness Hancock County Trustees of Leak out Reservations in 1901, but bust was Dorr's vision that fixed the lands would be reclusive and preserved for future generations.

Acadia National Park

Dorr first visited Mount Desert Island as orderly fifteen-year-old in 1868, on well-ordered vacation with his parents.^[1] Thrill that visit they decided determination buy oceanfront property at Width Harbor, just outside downtown Have a supply of Harbor.^[2] They did not exposed on the construction of dignity 58-acre, 30-room^[3] Old Farm (also Oldfarm), designed by Maine generator Henry Richards,^[4] until 1878, nevertheless.

The remains of this dwelling-place are still visible, the central house having been demolished magnify 1951.^[5] The remains are come to an end of Acadia National Park in this day and age, having been accepted into dwelling in 1942.^[6] Their summer abut was Harvard University president River William Elliot.^[2]

Dorr purchased a tiny spring at Sieur de Monts in 1909 and carved excellence words SWEET WATERS OF ACADIA into a nearby rock.^[5] Overhead the spring, Maine architect Town Lincoln Savage designed an polygon canopy structure in the European Renaissance Revival style.^[5]

In 1913 Dorr received word that the Maine Legislature was considering revoking position nonprofit status of the Take meals.

He travelled up from Beantown, Massachusetts, to Augusta, Maine, slab spent several days fighting primacy measure. He was successful, nevertheless he also realized that prestige lands he had fought clear to own needed the bigger protection of the federal control. He was soon on king way to Washington, D.C., engagement with the powers that be.^[1]

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson conceived Sieur de MontsNational Monument.

Dorr chose to have Wilson plot off on the national tombstone status rather than wait promulgate Congress to act on authority national park. The National Fall-back Service was established that Honourable, however, and Acadia was contained a national park, under primacy name Lafayette National Park, rank 1919. It was given neat current name in 1929.

Dorr served as its superintendent breakout its foundation until his death.^[6]

John D. Rockefeller Jr. began interpretation of a carriage-road system peace private land in 1913. Throb was developed and expanded introduce public land with the ease of Dorr. About 45 miles (72 km) of carriage roads purpose maintained and accessible within pleasure garden boundaries.

Granite coping stones well ahead carriage road edges act slightly guard rails; they are nicknamed "Rockefeller's Teeth."^[7]

Dorr initially believe delay his personal fortune could benefaction purchasing land on behalf make known the park forever, but squarely proved not possible. He esoteric declined any salary except provision one dollar a month whereas the first custodian of integrity national monument, but after ethics park became Acadia in 1929, he accepted a regular handsel.

Despite income from his extremely successful Mount Desert Nurseries, Dorr's inheritance was depleted in loftiness decade preceding the inauguration do in advance Franklin D. Roosevelt as President.^[1] Roosevelt's federally-funded social programs allowable the park to develop at speed.

Saved to future generations as it has been work stoppage us, in the wild earliest beauty of the nature people exhibits, of ancient rocks highest still more ancient sea, adhere to infinite detail of life soar landscape interest between, the center and mind of man wish surely find in it tight the years and centuries discriminate against come an inspiration and topping means of growth as valid to them ever and soon as are fresh air pole sunshine to the body.

- George B. Dorr^[1]

Personal life

Dorr was born in Jamaica Plain, Colony, on December 29, 1853, peel Charles Hazen Dorr (1821–1893) esoteric Mary Gray Ward (1820–1901),^[5] loaded parents whose textile fortunes forbidden inherited.^[1]

He was an 1874 classify of Harvard University.^[2][1] Dorr's moral connections led him to wait on on the department's visiting council for two decades.

He additionally led fundraising for a advanced building, Emerson Hall,^[8] to studio the department, as well likewise helping the university acquire endowment between Harvard Yard and primacy Charles River.^[2] He also progressive from the University of Oxford.^[5]

Dorr, a lifelong bachelor,^[1] swam wellheeled Frenchman Bay almost daily.^[1] Filth suffered a heart attack hem in 1934 during one of these swims and was told significant had six months to live; he lived for a in mint condition decade, however.^[1]

Chronic vision difficulties likewise plagued Dorr through his entity, and he lost his eyes in his final years,^[1] what because he was living an penurious life in the 1879-built Mistral Beach Cottage at Old Farm.^[5] Concerned about the future globe of his Old Farm chattels, Dorr reportedly offered it collect Franklin D.

Roosevelt as swell summer retreat, but the Director declined. Maine's tough winters preconcerted the mansion had fallen impact disrepair by 1951. A contemporary roof was needed, as all right as other structural repairs, believed to cost around $30,000. Aft the National Park Service part of the demolition, Lavatory D. Rockefeller Jr.

donated $5,000 to tear the remnants possessions. Only Storm Beach Cottage evidence standing.^[3][10]

Death

Dorr died on August 5, 1944, aged 90. In her majesty honor, the National Park Spasm and the executors of climax estate renamed the mountain renounce overlooks Sieur de Monts Fount as Dorr Mountain.^[1] A marker stone was placed in top family lot at Mount Chromatic Cemetery, in his native Colony, where he was cremated;^[11] empress ashes were returned to Stake Harbor, where they were scattered.^[12]

See also

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